Georgians begin early voting next week

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Advanced voting for the July 24 General Primary runoff starts Monday, July 2 and will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. until July 20 with the exception of July 4 when all county offices are closed. All votes can be cast at the Lumpkin County Elections Office, 56 Short Street.

Most elections offices around the state are bracing for a larger-than-usual runoff turnout because important state offices remain undecided. Republicans are still seeking their party’s nomination for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp are seeking the Republican nomination to replace two-term Governor Nathan Deal. The winner will face Democrat Stacey Abrams in the November general election.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp

Cagle won 39 percent of the vote in the primary to Kemp’s 25.6 percent. But the margin was not as large as it may have appeared because there were five candidates who split the vote. The candidate who wins the runoff will be the one who has more success attracting voters who cast a ballot for Clay Tippins or Hunter Hill.

In the race for Lt. Governor, David Shafer and Geoff Duncan are competing for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico in November.

Another key race that should help attract voters is the secretary of state race between Republicans Brad Raffensperger and David Belle Isle. John Barrow has already secured the Democratic nomination.

The local race that should attract voters is the race for the District 4 seat on the Board of Commissioners between Republicans Clarence Grindle and Jeff Moran.

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